PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychiatric condition that develops after exposure to life-threatening events such as combat, assault, or serious accidents. Affected individuals experience intrusive memories, persistent hypervigilance, sleep disruption, and marked emotional numbness that interfere with daily functioning. Diagnosis requires symptoms lasting more than one month, assessed through structured clinical interviews and validated screening tools. First-line treatments include trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors prescribed under medical supervision. Early intervention significantly reduces the risk of chronic PTSD, comorbid depression, and substance dependence. Coordinated care involving psychiatrists, therapists, and primary physicians improves long-term recovery outcomes.